Li Shuo stood before the Hall of Central Harmony, his imperial dragon robe in bright yellow drawing countless gazes to him.
As the emperor, he was long accustomed to such attention, his expression remaining unchanged as he slightly lowered his eyes toward the Third Prince Li Zhun not far away.
“Traitor… why aren’t you kneeling yet!!”
The Third Prince Li Zhun trembled violently all over, his knees weakening as he was about to collapse, but before his knees touched the ground, a slight bend in his posture caught him.
The elderly man who had always accompanied him suddenly reached out to steady him.
“Third Prince, if you kneel now, we are all doomed.”
Li Zhun’s eyes were filled with panic and fear.
“Old Master Feng, you?”
Before Li Zhun could react, the old man called Old Master Feng stepped forward and suddenly shouted:
“His Majesty is Heaven’s chosen, having just awakened from illness, yet he has been blinded by traitors. We must act decisively to purge the court, quell this national crisis, kill the rebel king, and save Great Qi!!”
Old Master Feng’s booming voice instantly echoed throughout the entire square, causing all the soldiers to pause in shock.
Especially those generals who had already lost hope—they suddenly became energized.
That’s right, no matter what, this matter cannot be brushed aside so lightly.
Either they fight to the death and achieve glory serving the dragon, or perish on the spot, their families exterminated.
The soldiers might still have a choice, but these men no longer did. The arrow was on the string, it had to be fired!
“The Third Prince commands: quell this national crisis, purge the court! Kill the rebel king, save Great Qi! Brothers, His Majesty has been deceived—follow me and break through to rescue him! Kill—!”
As a commander suddenly raised his long blade and charged forward at the head of the pack, the soldiers behind had no choice but to follow.
Humans tend to follow the crowd; once one moves, the rest follow suit.
More than a dozen commanders rushed forward. The bewildered soldiers instinctively shouted battle cries and surged forward with them.
In an instant, the fighting resumed.
Emperor Li Shuo, witnessing the scene, wore a face as dark as still water.
He understood clearly that his identity as emperor was now worthless.
The outcome depended entirely on the battle’s victor.
Seeing this, he closed his eyes painfully.
In his mind, he seemed to recall the time when Li Zhun was still a helpless infant, that adorable face.
“Zhun… oh Zhun, you truly are my good son… ah…”
Pausing slightly, he opened his eyes again, which now held only the coldness befitting an emperor, devoid of any parental affection.
“Since it has come to this, then today I will personally witness how you, this treacherous rebel, attempt to kill me!!”
“Father, Your Majesty…”
Li Zhun stared blankly at that figure, terror gripping his heart, yet an inexplicable emotion also stirred within him.
Beside him, Old Master Feng whispered quietly again.
“Third Prince, things have come to this point; there is no longer any familial affection to speak of. Today, if His Majesty does not die, you, I, and the others who have risen together will surely perish. Now, it is either life or death. Your Highness, the choice is yours.”
With that, Old Master Feng released the Third Prince’s hand and turned his gaze to the emperor.
“Your Majesty! You have been deceived by villains. Today, we purge the court, quell the national crisis! Kill—!”
Immediately, with agility unbefitting his age, Old Master Feng darted into the battlefield. Twisting and turning, he soon reached the front of the guards, raising a palm.
A crisp crack sounded—
“Crack!”
The soldier who took the blow flew back as if struck by a truck at eighty miles per hour.
The man soared through the air and crashed down, knocking over a cluster of guards.
This scene shocked the defenders, and at the same time, invigorated the rebel soldiers like they had been injected with adrenaline, their morale soaring.
“Kill!”
Old Master Feng charged forward again.
The guards behind quickly filled the gap, but in the presence of such a high-level martial artist, a few soldiers could hardly mount an effective defense.
Already outnumbered, the defenders barely held the steps.
But with this formidable elder’s strike, the once-maintained defensive line rapidly collapsed from a point to a surface.
“Retreat! Fall back quickly! Protect His Majesty and withdraw from the Hall of Central Harmony to the Harmony Preserving Hall, exit through the Imperial Harem! If the rebels catch His Majesty, his life cannot be guaranteed. I volunteer to hold the rear and die protecting His Majesty!!”
The Duke of the Southern Border’s Residence immediately spoke up, clearly ready to sacrifice himself to save the emperor.
Seeing the situation worsening, Xu Ping’an furrowed his brows deeply.
Li Yuer was still trapped amidst the chaos, and to let it continue like this without intervention—putting aside how Li Yuer might feel—made him deeply uncomfortable.
As a doctor, watching a patient die helplessly was truly distressing.
Moreover, he genuinely felt a certain tenderness toward Yu’er and was unwilling to see her perish.
Clenching his teeth, though reluctant to reveal his hand, the current situation could not be allowed to deteriorate further.
“Wujin, move—save her!!”
Suddenly, amidst the fray of battle, the moment Xu Ping’an’s words fell, a figure burst from the rear of the chaotic troops.
In the blink of an eye, several sword flashes cut down the soldiers guarding Li Yuer on the spot.
Immediately after, Han Wujin’s long sword flicked, severing the ropes binding Li Yuer’s hands.
“Li Yu, go fetch reinforcements! Wujin, block their advance!”
Xu Ping’an shouted again, and Han Wujin did not hesitate, plunging headlong into the chaotic mass.
Li Yuer’s eyes flickered with surprise at the sight.
When she looked at Xu Ping’an, the moist depths of her eyes bore a trace of warmth.
But she didn’t hesitate—turning sharply, she fled.
The defenders of the Hall of Central Harmony clearly could not hold out much longer. Every second was critical.
Even if not for the emperor, nor for Great Qi, nor for her father, but for Xu Ping’an alone, she dared not delay.
“Stop him! Quick, stop him!!”
The Third Prince Li Zhun saw this and panicked, hurriedly ordering soldiers to pursue and intercept Li Yuer.
But Han Wujin had already slain dozens of soldiers, cutting down all near Li Yuer.
The armored soldiers were already far from her.
Chasing any closer was nearly impossible.
Meanwhile, Han Wujin had already reached Old Master Feng.
“Han Wujin, your move!”
Old Master Feng ignored the usual rules of chivalry and etiquette, giving no name in return, and immediately raised a palm.
In an instant, the two clashed.
Soldiers nearby could not approach within three meters and had to continue fighting at the edges.
At this moment, Li Zhun seemed to have finally come to a realization.
“There is no choice left. If we wait any longer, there will be no more chances. I accept your terms—attack!”
No sooner had he finished speaking than a figure suddenly fell abruptly from the sky.
Everyone was stunned.
When Li Zhun saw the body, he was utterly shocked.
“You…”
Before he could speak, a cold female voice echoed throughout the palace.
“The Demon Cult Leader has been slain. Third Prince, will you still persist in your folly?”
Hearing the voice, Xu Ping’an’s eyes widened sharply as he looked up toward the clouds.
There, a woman floated gracefully above the mist.